THE RESULTS
The MKG MAX10 Kickboxing Boot Camp Challenge, formerly 10 Week Body Sculpt Challenge, has been changing lives since 2005. Here you will find testimonials from individuals doing the course, moms and their daughters, wives and their husbands and bosses and co-workers.Take some time to read some success stories from our program. For some quicker testimonials from dozens of clients across all of our programs see our Testimonials page.
Denise Leestma
Denise has lost 27.4 lbs and 10% body fat and still on the road of getting more results.I benefited from the program in several ways. I had hoped to lose weight, and I did. I had hoped for definition and muscle tone again, and I see it. I wanted to feel better, and I do. I feel I can take on more challenges now. At the end of the session I could do real push-ups, which meant a lot to me since I couldn't even do one at the beginning. At the end of the session my husband and I hiked Mt. Si, had lunch and then walked Greenlake all in the same day. For someone who hadn't exercised in 19 years that was pretty good. I couldn't have done that without the 10 weeks of 'Body Sculpt BOOT CAMP'. I really benefited in that now I have a desire to be more active and take better care of myself...
It seemed to me that the staff did careful planning that caused each day and week to build upon itself so that we could achieve maximum results. I appreciated their expertise as I have friends doing other things and working hard and they haven't seen the same results. I like that the staff really knew their stuff and took great pride in what they were doing. I liked the variety of the cardio, weight resistance and martial art influence. Being exposed to the kick-boxing and sticks was really fun. After the first week, after I realized I would live through it, I really found the classes fun and each day was fun. I haven't been bored or felt like I had to go to class and I had to work out. I've made 3 or 4 good friends in class too.
If you are serious about investing in your health and wonder if you can really feel and look better in 10 weeks make the investment, it's worth it. Not only will you benefit, but also those around you will benefit because you will feel so much better about yourself, you'll have more to give them.
Gillian Zed
In my first 10 week MKG Body Sculpt session I lost 22 pounds (three pant sizes!) My success was from a combination of the 5 day a week program and a commitment to a very strict low carb, high protein 1200 calories a day for the last 5 weeks.At 44, when I began the Body Sculpt program, I couldn't do a sit up or push up without wanting to throw up! But the increase in my physical strength, stamina and balance was significant after just a few weeks. I was amazed to see definition in my muscles emerge. Now I use the classes as my ongoing exercise program and continue to work on 'Sculpting' my body. I feel better than I ever have.
I had failed at every gym I joined because there was never any personal connection or full circle approach. With Body Sculpt classes, it is like having a personal trainer experience, with 10 or 15 other people in the room. The instructors are able to modify for you if needed, which sets you up for success on your own level. The group dynamic is one of support and enthusiasm without the glamour games of a gym and the rotating activities prevent boredom.
There is not a middle aged woman on the planet that wants to exercise or alter the way she eats. It is incredibly hard to do amidst family and career and friends and change is not always comfortable. But it is no understatement to say this program changed my life. Nicole and Laura took the spark of hope that I was finally ready to get off my butt and fanned it into full flame. I love how I look and how I feel. I want to work out now. I crave fruit, not pastries and when I'm tempted I laugh to myself and think: is it worth an extra 10 minutes of abs?
Clair & Lucia (daughter & mom)
Claire tells what she likes about Body Sculpt:
Body Sculpt is a fun way to get a steady exercise routine. It's the most fun type of exercise I have ever done, and even though there was like a 20 year age difference (I'm 12) between me and most of the people in my class, I still had a lot of fun. Unlike a lot of other exercises, I did not dread going to class each night, I looked forward to the class and the glowing feeling I get from it. Also, it didn't seem time consuming, or like it took over my life. There is no pressure to be the best, only to do your best.
My favorite class was bag work, because I enjoy taking out frustrations on the punching bag. I liked the challenge of remembering the combinations of kicks and punches. I also enjoyed the kali sticks, especially towards the end of the session where we got into more complicated and graceful movements.
Honestly, Body Sculpt did not change my life dramatically. However, I did notice changes in my life, like feeling lighter on my feet when I run and when I Irish dance. I felt great during the class, and the abs / workouts helped me surpass my friends during P.E. fitness testing - that felt great!
What was cool about doing Body Sculpt with Mom?
I did Body Sculpt with my mom. It was cool because I had someone I'm familiar with, and I was never without a partner. I would never have done Body Sculpt if my mom hadn't, at least not for a few years.
Lucia shares her highlights of Body Sculpt:
What I like best about Body Sculpt is that it is lively and interactive. We get to have fun while we work hard. The challenges are never ending. Not only do we get to learn new movements, but we get to do them with a variety of partners.
I also like having a number of different instructors. Each has different favorite workouts or ways of structuring the workouts and each gives different feedback about my work. Having such a variety keeps the fun in the work. Kicking and punching and hitting with sticks more fun than I ever imagined!
Body Sculpt puts a lot of fun into my life. I leave every workout with a big smile. It has improved my mood over all and given me a wonderful source of energy. I am so much stronger - for example, my family hiked 8 miles on the Napali coast in Kauai over spring break. The hike was strenuous and I did it without tiring and had no pains anywhere. The next day when my husband was stiff and sore, I felt fine. I couldn't even tell that I had done the hike the day before.
What did you like about doing the classes with your teenage daughter?
Doing Body Sculpt with my 12 year old daughter gives me a way to have a lot of fun with her. She is more competent and can feel good about doing something better than Mom. I can admire and support her hard work. This is especially beneficial because with teenagers, the parent-child relationship starts to get difficult and often full of conflict. For us to have something fun to do together that isn't fraught with problems (like shopping for clothes) is a wonderful way to strengthen our relationship.
Lisa Szilagyi
Lisa has lost 22 lbs and 5% body fat and still working it off more as the weeks go by!How can a paragraph express my appreciation for the support and encouragement that I've received from the staff at MKG? At 265lbs my weight created serious health concerns and daily limitations. I was given the "stern" talking to by my health care professional, do something about your weight or you will certainly die an early death. At age 42, I was not prepared to lie down and die; it was time to get active. By chance, I came across an article in a local paper that described the Body Sculpt program offered at MKG. I admit to being hesitant, I believed that the program might be too intense for my physical ability. I phoned MKG to inquire about the level of fitness that was expected and type of exercise routine that was offered. I was asked some basic questions from a MKG trainer regarding health and physical limitations, it was then determined that I was ready for my new adventure at MKG.
The rest is history - I was able to modify the few movements that were too difficult until I built my body strength and endurance. I have lost 22lbs to date, have a new attitude, energy and no more lower back pain. I'm grateful to MKG and the wonderful cohesive trainers for being the pivotal catalyst that has helped me to regain my happy, confident self. The road ahead continues to be a challenge with many pounds to shed, however, this is a journey I share with friends.
Elana & Ravi
Elana, a repeating fan of Body Sculpt:
I enjoy the fact that it is daily at 6.30 in the morning. I roll out of bed, ride my bike over and wake up working out. I enjoy the variety of workouts that we are doing. I am learning new things although I have been doing it now for the third time. I enjoy that the various instructors are welcoming, encouraging us to let them know as how to make the workouts more wonderful and tougher for us. I like that I can go to them with pretty much any question related to the workouts and always get great support and advice. I strive on the group setting - I enjoy working out in a community, getting to know people and to support / encourage each other.
I like the switch between cardio classes and strength classes. The strength class is very new to me and I rely very much on the instructor to help me to work out hard and keep the form. I really like the stick work - and bag work and the circuit training, I guess I like them all! With the sticks, I have to turn on (especially) my mental brain - I like the combination of mental work and physical workout. I enjoy releasing all my power and aggression out on the bags.
For over 2 years I have wanted to be physically active again. Going running on my own was not happening (I tried!) and so I was looking for something in a group setting, that would motivate me and support my health. With Body Sculpt, I am working out an average of 5 times a week! Emotionally and mentally I have a sense that I am enjoying more balance in life. I have gotten much greater awareness on how I eat and what I eat. I am grateful to have put the spotlight on my eating habits and can now work with greater awareness for better wellness overall.
How do you and your partner make Body Sculpt work in your busy life?
My partner and I joined both the program, but in different time slots. Once a week we are trying to do Body Sculpt together, which is a lot of fun. We support each other and challenge each other, tease each other and have fun with it. Our children have been watching us as well and I like that they see us taking care of our health, watching us working hard and have fun doing it. We also play around at home with it, which contributes to a lot of laughter, connection and fun.
Ravi tells why he feels Body Sculpt is like no other program:
There is some much I like about the Body Sculpt program! The intensity, rigor, and consistency have made it enjoyable to adopt fitness and a healthy diet into my lifestyle and for the long term. I like that every one of the 50 classes I have attended in the program has been different. Having multiple instructors who focus on different drills, exercise, and techniques gives me the challenge and variety to want to come back each day and push a little harder. This program provides a comfortable environment for all types of people at all fitness and strength levels. It's the first time I have seen a program that allows everyone to do the same activities yet push themselves at what ever level of intensity feels comfortable. The instructors have fun and make the effort to listen to each participant needs and incorporate new ideas and suggestions for the class participants. I myself really enjoy when the instructors point out how I can improve technique or increase my intensity.
I enjoy all classes and aspects of the program because I like the variety and see an overall improvement in each class. Bag work and partner drills are some of my favorites. I enjoy pushing myself on the bags until I am exhausted. I like the satisfaction of leaving a work out feeling that "I left it all in the gym". I also like being challenged to move around and anticipate what my partner will do during the "flash card" drills. The combination of having to be alert and anticipate while pushing myself physically is very satisfying!
I have seen amazing personal results: I have lost weight; I have gained strength and muscle; my clothes fit better; I find myself more playful and energetic with my family, especially my children. I have built terrific habits into my lifestyle. I also find that I need less sleep to feel rested and energetic during the day.
How much fun do you have doing Body Sculpt with your partner?
My wife, Elana encouraged me to start the Body Sculpt program in Jan 2007. We are now in our second session together. I have a lot of fun working out with Elana and especially enjoy the times we get to partner up in class for Kali sticks and Muay Thai kickboxing drills. Body Sculpt has brought a lot of energy and fun to our relationship; we carry that home with us during the week and weekend. It's been fun to have a friendly competition on the results we are achieving from the program. Of course, I am definitely winning when it comes to results and Elana gets a lot of joy out of watching me push myself to exhaustion. I would encourage friends or couples to do this class together. It is an inviting and comfortable place to connect and have fun as friends or family or couples. I am so appreciative to Elana for introducing me to Body Sculpt!
Gail Davison
Gail lost 8 lbs and 4% body fat and maintaining her new great bod with regular Body Sculpt classes. My health has improved tremendously - my cholesterol level has always been around 300-289LDL and it is now 200-189! Even though I was doing moderate walking, walking uphill or up the stairs sometimes left me breathless, not to mention sore muscles. Recently I was in a race and walked over 10 miles and felt great. Even though I didn't lose a lot of weight my muscles are more developed and I look much slimmer, not to mention my clothes fit better and I have gone down a size. What an excuse to buy new clothes!
This program has several advantages to just going to a gym: even though you are in a group you get individual help with the exercises, everyday is a different routine and you work different muscle groups. My favorite is boxing. The strength training uses bands and balls not heavy weights. The instructors are all very helpful and informative.
Anyone of any age (I'm almost 60) and size will benefit from this program. In 10 weeks you will be surprise how good you feel and look. You'll want to come back for more!
Erica & Elaine (daughter & mom)
Erica shares what she LOVES about Body Sculpt:
Erica shares what she LOVES about Body Sculpt: Body Sculpt has given me a structure to get in shape and lose weight, in an environment that is supportive. I also appreciate that the program is grounded in the community of Martial Arts, without being intimidating. I love the sense of "play" in the sparring during Body Sculpt, which is what keeps it fun while working so hard. I love that I am working hard, AND getting results. I love that MKG is a down to earth environment.
My favorite classes are Laura's kali aerobics stick classes. It combines coordination, and strength, as well as giving my brain something to think about with all those combinations. It has been really great to see my improvement with my left-hand side, as I am SO right-handed! Plus, I might up the cool-mom quotient when I whip out my skills, I at least get a chuckle out of my husband and kids.
I have a tendency to hang on to the residue from negative interactions I have throughout the day. Body Sculpt has given me a way to work this out, daily, instead of letting it fester and grow. It is a great release! In addition, Body Sculpt has been a fun way to take care of myself... my whole life, taking care of myself through exercise and eating right has taken a back burner to just about everything around me. Body Sculpt has also let me try something new, that seems intimidating since I tend to look at the Masters in Martial Arts, and wonder how I could ever get there, or why. The support for each person's current ability is a major reason this works for me... I don't have to be a black belt to participate. In general I am happier, healthier and more energetic when I am doing Body Sculpt... a small price to pay for that!
What do you love about doing Body Sculpt with mom?
With our busy lives, it's hard to get any one-on-one time with my mom, so seeing her at Body Sculpt is a great way to grab some time together. Plus, when I fall off the wagon, and miss class, she's always there to encourage me and share that I was missed. It's nice to have a group of people working together, who notice that you are there, or not.
Elaine tells how Body Sculpt has changed her life:
It's fun; it's interesting - I never get bored with it; it works. Also, it really is ego-less, like they say. Each person is respected; it is not competitive. Teachers personify a value system of respect and collaboration that students emulate. Each person is responsible for his or her own work. I love that I have my own boxing gloves - something I never imagined!!
I most enjoy the classes where we just pound the dickens - with gloves or sticks - out of the bags. It's great fun! It's not a vicious thing, more of a focus thing. I enjoy the sense that I am learning to use my body effectively in a new skill set, and getting stronger, increasing coordination. I love doing all this to rhythms and music. It's a bit like dancing, with new steps and movements in each class. I love going full-out physically, doing more than I imagined I could do. I have more energy, more fun, and I actually believe that I can create and maintain a new level of health and fitness. Before Body Sculpt, I had really given up.
What is great about doing Body Sculpt with your daughter?
My daughter, Erica, took the class and recommended it to me. First of all, I appreciate that she would think I would / could do it. Secondly, I love that she would share something she loves with her mother!! And third, it is great to have this in common, to see each other at class, to have something we both think is sooo hard, so good for us, and so much FUN.
Joanne Black
Joanne has lost 17 lbs and 8% body fat so far.The benefits of 10 Week Body Sculpt Challenge were getting in shape and learning some good basic information regarding nutrition. Fairly easy to follow workouts, with the instructors ramping up the workout over the 10 weeks. GREAT group of people - very supportive and encouraging.
I highly recommend this class for people motivated to make a big change in exercise and diet. Going to the class 5 days a week gave it a lot of structure!
Mark & Lily (co-workers)
Mark shares his Body Sculpt experience:
I like that the exercises are so varied. Each day we learn a variety of different exercises, which makes the hour go by very quickly. I also like that we keep track of our progress, not only with inches and pounds but also with strength and stamina. The instructors are very knowledgeable and can easily alter exercises to fit all levels as the weeks go by.
My favorite classes are the bag work and kali stick classes. During these classes, you have to use you mind, performing the combinations, and with lots of energy, which makes the time fly. I really enjoy working on the bag. It has become an excellent stress reliever.
I feel stronger and definitely have much more stamina and energy. It has motivated me to want to continue to exercise and live a healthier lifestyle. I had been searching for an exercise program that I could do regularly and enjoy - I am very happy to have found it.
How does working out with Lily inspire you?
I enjoy hanging out and talking with Lily when not in Body Sculpt so having her there makes the experience the more fun. It also helps on those days when 6:30am seems exceptionally early to be up and about. Lily keeps me on track. We are accountable to each other and encourage each other to go to class and do out best while there. Lily has been through the Body Sculpt class before and I am so impressed with her abilities and how she has taken control of her life with regards to exercise and fitness.
Lily tells what she likes:
I like the variety of exercises. I never seemed to get bored. More often than not the class is over before I know it. The results have been very positive for health and fitness.
I like the bag work class. There is something about punching and kicking for almost an hour that feels really good. It is high energy, I feel like I can keep going. I am always surprised when the class is over.
Body Sculpt has gotten me on a consistent path of working out. For that I am truly grateful. After my 2nd baby, I had gotten so stagnant and didn't do any exercise it had felt really difficult to do anything. Plus my chronic pain issues from an auto-immune disorder had gotten pretty bad. Since doing Body Sculpt, I have tried the regular martial arts classes, started running and doing various other cross training. I feel motivated to continue on with a lifestyle of activity that is beneficial to my health. I feel stronger, my pain is much more manageable and I enjoy seeing the physical results as they continue.
What's it like hitting the bags with your boss?
Well, since Mark and I find ourselves to be so entertaining it has been a lot of fun! It really helps to keep motivated and encourage each other to keep going and to stay on track. Commuting together has made us accountable to actually show up for class. Showing up is like 90% of life anyways... right? I am really proud of Mark and it helps me to have his smiling face there to keep me going!!